In episode #5 of Powering Performance, we chat with two performance experts to learn about training methodology, rising trends and educating your clients. We break down some of the knowledge gained from EXOS’ Director of Continuous Improvement, Stefan Underwood and Jon Barlow who oversees the Pro and Elite Sports at EXOS Arizona. They share their insight on their philosophies around training and how to create athlete buy-in.

At this time every year, athletes add another important aspect to their lives that can impact their training and performance: celebrating the holidays. With more time dedicated to seeing friends and family, this can be a healthful and restorative period for athletes—a chance to mentally recharge. The holidays, however, bring several temptations that when left unchecked can lead to negative effects on training that outweigh the positive energy during this month. Let’s look into how people tend to overindulge and what strategies you can exercise to maintain fitness through the month. Respect your hard work and discipline during the rest of the year by following these tips!

It is important for athletes to understand how travel during the competition season affects their bodies. Often times, elite athletes have to travel all over the globe to attend different sporting events. It is essential that athletes find ways to manage the negative effects of travel so that their bodies don’t unnecessarily suffer. Here are some tips to help beat the negative effects of travel.

There’s value in implementing good habits around nutrition for younger athletes. Here’s what Hudl and the Los Angeles Galaxy have to say about the subject.

Kristen Andrews is the Sports Performance Dietitian for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, as well as the U.S. Men’s National Team. Kristen worked with Hudl to shed some light on just how important nutrition is at the club level.

The transition to college athletics can be an exciting, yet daunting time for first-year student-athletes. Playing sports at the collegiate level requires another degree of challenge and dedication to the sport. In order for first-year athletes to be successful at this level, it is essential for them to understand the expectations they must uphold from their school, professors, and sport coaches. Players should use the collegiate level as an opportunity to craft their skills and take their game to the next level, while balancing the many other aspects that come with college life.

Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant drug in the world and is one of the best-tested ergogenic aids. Approximately 73% of athletes already use caffeine before training and competition to enhance athletic performance. Usually ingested through coffees, teas, energy drinks, and soft-drinks, caffeine enhances an individual’s energy use, production, or recovery and contributes to clearer thinking and greater concentration. Athletes can also consume caffeine in supplements, like NoDoz max, and sport-specific energy gels. Understanding how much caffeine and when to consume it will allow athletes to maximize their athletic performance with caffeine.

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of being an elite athlete. The way an athlete treats their body before and after workouts on a daily basis can maximize their overall performance. Before making a grocery run, athletes should make a plan in order to stay organized, save money, and choose healthy options. It is imperative for elite athletes to prioritize nutrition and hydration to ensure their bodies are ready to go for training or competition. To learn more about athletic nutrition for collegiate athletes check out this article.